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Bismarck Course Essay- evaluate the reasons for the growth of Prussias influence in Germany by 1862 In 1815 there was no such thing as a German State or Nation In the geographical area known as Germany the most powerful state was Austria which was the biggest factor in the increase of Prussias influence by 1862 Prussia was the second most powerful state but she was far behind Austria politically and economically In 1815 the Austrian foreign minister Metternich made a big mistake by giving Prussia the area of Westphalia and the Rhineland Prussia was also given parts of Silesia In trying to make Prussia more German Metternich had effectively signed Austrias death warrant The Rhineland was full of iron ore coal and other valuable raw materials that had not yet been discovered In 1818 Prussia passed a tariff law which did four things firstly they abolished most internal Prussian customs and allowed most raw materials duty free into Prussia The tariff law also allowed only ten- percent tariffs on manufactured goods and it passed a weight duty on goods travelling through Prussia These laws effectively made Prussia a tariff free zone and therefore increased trade greatly This was a huge boost to the Prussian economy and it was extremely significant that Austria didnt really take notice and follow Prussia into reducing tariffs During the 1820s the Prussian economy became bigger and stronger What was really important for Prussia to do was to build good relations with her neighbours who in particular could be very important to her success Crucially Prussia did do this To cement these relationships with her neighbours the Prussian free trade zone became a Prussian customs union When Napoleon had invaded Prussia he had begun a massive road building program so that his forces could easily be transported to countries such as Russia whom he wanted to invade and defeat After Napoleon had been defeated Prussia continued this infrastructure building program

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